Hokkaido Travel

[awesomania]

Hi all - starting a new thread to ask questions on Hokkaido. Planning a first time trip and not doing self-drive, planning to leverage on JR Hokkaido Pass. Currently thinking to set base in Sapporo for 6 days, Hakodate for 3 days and Tomamu for 3 days and thinking of day trip out from Sapporo.

1. Anyone travelled Hokkaido using JR Hokkaido Pass? Can share your itinerary to best ulitise the pass? Thinking for use between Sapporo and Hakodate and Asahiyama Zoo
2. Any must eat food / food recommendation?
3. Will be travelling with family thus not going to public onsen. But any places with nice foot onsen? Recalled previously when visiting Nagoya, they have quite a number of foot onsen in public places
4. Any other tips/advice?

Thanks all! appreciate any sharing!

 

[MajiMax]

Fly in to Hakodate Airport and fly out from New Chitose Airport (reverse In/Out also can) to reduce the train travelling time and better utilisation of the pass.

Previously, the pass was offered under flexible days, now it has become consecutive days.

Day 01 Hakodate
Day 02 Hakodate
Day 03 Hakodate
Day 04 Hakodate to Tomamu - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 1
Day 05 Tomamu - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 2
Day 06 Tomamu - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 3
Day 07 Tomamu to Sapporo - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 4
Day 08 Day trip to Asahikawa - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 5
Day 09 Sapporo
Day 10 Day trip to Otaru
Day 11 Sapporo
Day 12 Sapporo

Train Fare Usage
- Hakodate → Tomamu - JPY 10,720
- Tomamu → Sapporo - JPY 5,020
- Sapporo → Asahikawa → Sapporo - JPY 9,380

- 5 Days JR Hokkaido Rail Pass - JPY 19,000
Total Saving - JPY 6,120

Besides japan-guide.com, you can look for itinerary ideas from the following websites.

https://livejapan.com/en/in-hokkaido/?sc_lid=lj_pc_header_area_switch
https://en.japantravel.com/regions/hokkaido
https://tabelog.com/en/hokkaido/

 

[awesomania]

Fly in to Hakodate Airport and fly out from New Chitose Airport (reverse In/Out also can) to reduce the train travelling time and better utilisation of the pass.

Previously, the pass was offered under flexible days, now it has become consecutive days.

Day 01 Hakodate
Day 02 Hakodate
Day 03 Hakodate
Day 04 Hakodate to Tomamu - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 1
Day 05 Tomamu - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 2
Day 06 Tomamu - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 3
Day 07 Tomamu to Sapporo - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 4
Day 08 Day trip to Asahikawa - JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Day 5
Day 09 Sapporo
Day 10 Day trip to Otaru
Day 11 Sapporo
Day 12 Sapporo

Train Fare Usage
- Hakodate → Tomamu - JPY 10,720
- Tomamu → Sapporo - JPY 5,020
- Sapporo → Asahikawa → Sapporo - JPY 9,380

- 5 Days JR Hokkaido Rail Pass - JPY 19,000
Total Saving - JPY 6,120

Besides japan-guide.com, you can look for itinerary ideas from the following websites.

https://livejapan.com/en/in-hokkaido/?sc_lid=lj_pc_header_area_switch
https://en.japantravel.com/regions/hokkaido
https://tabelog.com/en/hokkaido/

Thank you so much!! this is very helpful!!

 

[chengwei]

Just sharing. Had these when I was in Hokkaido in Aug 2019.

Hakodate

• Uni Murakami
  • Had lunch here. Moderate queue/wait. Enjoyed the food here.
  • https://g.page/unimurakami?share
  • https://www.uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/uni-murakami.shtml
• Hakodate BeerHall
  • Had late dinner here. Short queue/wait. Decent food.
  • https://goo.gl/maps/LtRgvWvQn6qqZabb9
  • http://hkumaiyo.com/

Sapporo

• Soup Curry & Dining Suage+
  • Had dinner here. Moderate queue/wait. Enjoyed it so much I went there for dinner twice.
    • Used to have outlets in Singapore but all closed down. Japan's is much better anyway.
  • https://g.page/suage?share
  • https://suage.info/
• Hanamaru Sushi 根室花丸 (Nemuro Hanamaru)
  • Had lunch here. Long queue/wait (queue number). It was good!
  • https://goo.gl/maps/rVJXE5DBaScbM54p6
  • https://www.sushi-hanamaru.com/store/details/s03.html
• Kani Honke Sapporo station Ekimae
  • Had dinner here. No queue. Expensive crab based dinner. Food was nice. Good 1-time experience.
  • https://goo.gl/maps/9GMmfRfzRW5cz9xZ6
  • https://www.kani-honke.co.jp/location_sapporo.html

I guess a must-eat in Hokkaido would be the Jingisukan yakiniku (Genghis Khan mutton BBQ).
Had a variation of it in other parts of Hokkaido.
I am a mutton person so I can't say it's suitable for everyone, especially people who detest the mutton "smell".
Maybe other bros (who are not into mutton) can give their 2 cents on it.

 

[concreteman]

when i was in sapporo last time i had day trip to Daisetsuzan via tour bus and i had a self day trip to biei with and afternoon bus tour to the blue pond when i was in asahikawa.

very important : if you want to cycle around biei and furano recommend to use the electic bike

 

[Jane2]

Lake Toyako have public foot spa
Toron Foot Spa
+81 142-75-2446
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DhVhwyPkPabsbfte6

 

[kennysme]

Go look up the day trip bus tours on Klook or tripadvisor
I took tours originating from Sapporo
The trips are used by native Japanese so they'll speak Japanese followed by a little English
The bus brings you to various spots, drop you off for an hour or so
Distances are vast and some areas are not entirely accessible by train
For eg I wanted to go to Mt Usuzan ropeway, originally planned to use my JR pass to go to Toya station and then take the bus up to the base of Mt Usu and I have to take note all the timings for trains and buses (this alone would've taken half a day)
So I was in Sapporo two weeks ago and decided to just take the bus tour and was very glad that I did because there was no way I could cover several spots I wanted to go in one day by myself.

 

[ixora2007]

What is the recommendation for Data roam in Hokkaido?
Or are free WIFI easily available in major malls and hotels?
Sakura mobile from Klook only has pickup at Tokyo or Osaka airport.

 

[awesomania]

Lake Toyako have public foot spa
Toron Foot Spa
+81 142-75-2446
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DhVhwyPkPabsbfte6

Nice. Will try to go there for a day trip

 

[awesomania]

Just sharing. Had these when I was in Hokkaido in Aug 2019.

Hakodate

• Uni Murakami
  • Had lunch here. Moderate queue/wait. Enjoyed the food here.
  • https://g.page/unimurakami?share
  • https://www.uu-hokkaido.com/corporate/uni-murakami.shtml
• Hakodate BeerHall
  • Had late dinner here. Short queue/wait. Decent food.
  • https://goo.gl/maps/LtRgvWvQn6qqZabb9
  • http://hkumaiyo.com/

Sapporo

• Soup Curry & Dining Suage+
  • Had dinner here. Moderate queue/wait. Enjoyed it so much I went there for dinner twice.
    • Used to have outlets in Singapore but all closed down. Japan's is much better anyway.
  • https://g.page/suage?share
  • https://suage.info/
• Hanamaru Sushi 根室花丸 (Nemuro Hanamaru)
  • Had lunch here. Long queue/wait (queue number). It was good!
  • https://goo.gl/maps/rVJXE5DBaScbM54p6
  • https://www.sushi-hanamaru.com/store/details/s03.html
• Kani Honke Sapporo station Ekimae
  • Had dinner here. No queue. Expensive crab based dinner. Food was nice. Good 1-time experience.
  • https://goo.gl/maps/9GMmfRfzRW5cz9xZ6
  • https://www.kani-honke.co.jp/location_sapporo.html

I guess a must-eat in Hokkaido would be the Jingisukan yakiniku (Genghis Khan mutton BBQ).
Had a variation of it in other parts of Hokkaido.
I am a mutton person so I can't say it's suitable for everyone, especially people who detest the mutton "smell".
Maybe other bros (who are not into mutton) can give their 2 cents on it.

Thanks for the comprehensive list! Looks awesome! will add these to my list

 

[travbug]

When is your intended trip? Different seasons mean different things to do.

Furano, biei are great for countryside views.

More day tours are available from chuo bus in summer, autumn seasons. Pick up and drop off at sapporo station. There's no tour guide. mainly using it as transport to the different sites and just return to bus at stipulated timing

 

[awesomania]

When is your intended trip? Different seasons mean different things to do.

Furano, biei are great for countryside views.

More day tours are available from chuo bus in summer, autumn seasons. Pick up and drop off at sapporo station. There's no tour guide. mainly using it as transport to the different sites and just return to bus at stipulated timing

Dec! doing some last min work and research. haha

 

[naz1983]

going to be lots of snow during december! I was prepared but still kind of shocked at the amount of snow there.

I was in hokkaido during nov 2019.

Otaru, noboribetsu and lake toya was all day trips for me using sapporo as base. Took the train from hakodate to wakkanai in a day. Go google that if you want an epic train ride. LOL

Not sure Lake Toya still have the nightly fireworks which is pretty awesome if you decide to stay a night. Even Noboribetsu might be a good place to stay the night. Both places well known as Onsen town.

oh yah. my whole trip was using their public transport. From sapporo rail system to their limited express to hakodate and toya. and Bus to Lake Toya and Noboribetsu. I think on one occasion, I was the only non local inside one of their bus ride. lol

 

[chengwei]

Lake Toya's daily fireworks seems to stop before winter.
https://www.laketoya.com/en/event/fireworks/
However, there seems to be an illumination display in place of it.
https://www.laketoya.com/en/event/illumination/

 

[techizen2]

I took the overnight bus from Sapporo to Hakodate. Reached early in the morning and the market already started to come alive. Had a full day itinerary and managed to do lots of things in Hakodate before taking the overnight bus back to Sapporo. Saved 2 nights hotel accommodation (which is a lot of money ) and valuable daylight time. Bus sitting row arrangement is 1+1+1, unlike here which is either 1+2 or 2+2

 

[algrenfrancis]

Hope OP dont mind me hitching onto the thread. Im planning a couple trip to Hokkaido then down to Tokyo in End Jan.

Was wondering if theres any guide or must go places. Rough draft of the plan as below.

Day 1 - Reach Sapporo
Day 2 - Sapporo
Day 3 - Otaru (Day Trip)
Day 4 - Ski Day (Day Trip to one of the resort?)
Day 5 - Sapporo
Day 6 - Noboribetsu
Day 7 - Noboribetsu (Day trip to Toya?)
Day 8 - Toya (Should i stay a night here? Or day trip from Noboribetsu?)
Day 9 - Hakodate
Day 10 - Hakodate
Day 11 - Tokyo (Hakodate down to Tokyo? Or is there overnight way to get down?)
Day 12 - Tokyo
Day 13 - Tokyo
Day 14 - Tokyo
Day 15 - Flight back to SG

Need experience traveller for Hokkaido to advice.

This will be our first time to Hokkaido, dont mind walking, dont mind travelling, might be turn down by shifting our accomdation, other than that very open to travel anywhere.
Have been to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. So can make do with lesser days in Tokyo and more in Hokkaido.

One thing im worried is whether or not to get JR Pass, and when and how long should i get it for. Tokyo wise the JR trains are alot more and convenient, but got Hokkaido im not sure if local buses or metro are covered under JR.

Your help is very much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[techizen2]

If you are planning for end January, try to delay it by a week or two to enjoy the famous Sapporo Snow Festival also. It is a waste to miss it by such a short time

 

[kennysme]

can fly down from Chitose to Narita via peach airlines, sometimes they got sales - I flew from the old Sapporo airport to Matsumoto via fuji air

 

[naz1983]

Hope OP dont mind me hitching onto the thread. Im planning a couple trip to Hokkaido then down to Tokyo in End Jan.

Was wondering if theres any guide or must go places. Rough draft of the plan as below.

Day 1 - Reach Sapporo
Day 2 - Sapporo
Day 3 - Otaru (Day Trip)
Day 4 - Ski Day (Day Trip to one of the resort?)
Day 5 - Sapporo
Day 6 - Noboribetsu
Day 7 - Noboribetsu (Day trip to Toya?)
Day 8 - Toya (Should i stay a night here? Or day trip from Noboribetsu?)
Day 9 - Hakodate
Day 10 - Hakodate
Day 11 - Tokyo (Hakodate down to Tokyo? Or is there overnight way to get down?)
Day 12 - Tokyo
Day 13 - Tokyo
Day 14 - Tokyo
Day 15 - Flight back to SG

Need experience traveller for Hokkaido to advice.

This will be our first time to Hokkaido, dont mind walking, dont mind travelling, might be turn down by shifting our accomdation, other than that very open to travel anywhere.
Have been to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. So can make do with lesser days in Tokyo and more in Hokkaido.

One thing im worried is whether or not to get JR Pass, and when and how long should i get it for. Tokyo wise the JR trains are alot more and convenient, but got Hokkaido im not sure if local buses or metro are covered under JR.

Your help is very much appreciated!
Thanks in advance!!!!!

would stay toya if you like lakes. both toya and noboribetsu need bus ride from JR station but managable lah even for someone who doesn't know a word of kanji like me. Remembered both Toya and Noboribetsu JR Rail station got a tourist desk for info when i was there in 2019. more things to do at toya also if you like nature which is probably why you going hokkaido. Maybe can rent basikal and ride round the lake.

there's an 18 hour overnight ferry from hokkaido to tokyo. if you looking at that option.

your plan looks decent enough though. i have neve been tokyo so cant comment on that..haha

 

[algrenfrancis]

If you are planning for end January, try to delay it by a week or two to enjoy the famous Sapporo Snow Festival also. It is a waste to miss it by such a short time

Yea, considered that too, but really have to give it a miss, will head to other shrine parts where there's snow festival too, I recall reading some where near museum there fest too